Progress is being made on the Crane Fire, now 65% contained

/
Type 2 Skidgine parked along a control line of the #CraneFire. (Image: Inciweb)

Type 2 Skidgine parked along a control line of the #CraneFire. (Image: Inciweb)

LAKEVIEW, Ore. - Firefighters continue to make good progress on the Crane Fire about 10 miles southeast of Lakeview, Oregon. Several weak weather disturbances will pass through the region today, with possible showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Temperatures will be in the mid-70s to mid-80s, with much lighter winds than in recent days and higher humidity. An air-quality alert is in effect until Wednesday night due to smoke from the California fires.

Crane Fire PIO Map for 8/25/2020 (Click for Larger)

Detailed Report

Yesterday’s Operations
Firefighters completed control lines around the fire perimeter. Crews patrolled, secured and held the southeast perimeter, while continuing mop-up operations to the north, west and east of the fire.

Crews also prepped contingency lines to the southeast. The team helped facilitate two virtual community meetings with local partners in English and Spanish.

Today’s Operations
Crews will continue mop-up work and patrol north, west and east of the fire, and prep contingency lines to the southeast. On the southern perimeter, crews will work to hold a newly constructed control line around a contained spot, mop up, and improve control lines. Suppression repair continues around the fire perimeter. Transfer of command to the Fremont-Winema National Forest will occur on Thursday.

Projected Incident Activity
12 hours: Expect the fire to stay within the control lines with a continued slow clean up of areas of dirty burn and small unburned islands.

24 hours: Expect the fire to stay within the control lines with a continued slow clean up of areas of dirty burn and small unburned islands.

48 hours: Expect continued smoldering and creeping in those areas with some risk of flare-up due to outflow boundary winds from a forecasted slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

72 hours: Minimum fire behavior anticipated.

Weather Concerns
The moisture from tropical storm Genevieve finally made it into the region this morning. Some light rain fell at times through the morning and primed the lower atmosphere for afternoon convection.

A storm moved up from California around 3:00 PM with lightning and gusty winds but fell apart as it moved through the Crane fire. Two updates were issued for the incoming thunderstorm. Some lightning was recorded at about the mid-point of Goose lake and to the east of the fire in Harney county.

Temperatures were from 70-80 and relative humidity 25-30 percent. Winds were mainly from the southwest 6 to 10 mph with gusts around 15 mph. On the high ridges winds were 10 to 12 mph with gusts 22 to 25 mph.

The flow will become a little more westerly to southwest-west on Tuesday. Additional upper level moisture will move into the region, but without low level moisture the chance of convection is less than

on Monday. The flow turns even more westerly Wednesday and that lowers the chance of convection even more. Otherwise temperatures will be from the mid 70s to mid 80s. Relative humidity will be in the 20-30 percent range. Winds will become westerly and be much lighter than what we have seen the past few days.

Evacuations and Closures
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office lifted all evacuation levels in the Crane Fire area last night due to the great work done by firefighters and operations.

Fremont-Winema National Forest emergency fire closure order 06-02-02-20-01 remains in effect between Hwy 140 and the Oregon/California Stateline; and from the Forest Boundary on the west to Forest Roads 3610, 3910, 3910-019 to the Forest Boundary and Road 3915 to the Stateline. This emergency order closes the Twin Springs, Willow Creek, and Deep Creek Campgrounds; Crane Mountain and Rogger Meadow Trailheads; the Crane Mountain Trail and the Oregon Timber Trail from the Stateline north to the Camas Sno-Park

Safety Message
Hwy 140 remains open. Please be aware of increased fire traffic in the fire area, as well as surrounding communities. The team is working with Lake Health District to protect the community from the threat of COVID-19.

Crane Fire Details

Cause
Lightning

Size
2,992 Acres

Containment
65%

Location
10 Miles southeast of Lakeview Oregon.

Resources
514 Personnel
12 Hand Crews
17 Engines
5 Dozers
6 Tenders
6 Helicopters
1 Aircraft

Date of Origin
August 16, 2020

Klamath Falls News coverage of the 2020 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

We are currently looking for additional sponsors for coverage of the 2020 Fire Season. Would your business like to sponsor Klamath Falls News / Cascade Firewatch coverage of the 2020 Wildfire Season? Visit klamathfallsnews.org/current-opportunities or send us a note at sales@klamathfallsnews for more information.